US Bridges

Wildlife Drive over Tidal Basin

Good

Lee County, Florida · Sanibel Island · Structure no. 000041540-00106

Built
2002
23 years old
Condition
Good
inspected April 2021
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
57 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
700
2021 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Fish and Wildlife

About this bridge

Wildlife Drive over Tidal Basin is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Wildlife Drive over Tidal Basin in Lee County, Florida. It was built in 2002, so it is 23 years old, younger than the Florida average of 41.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 700 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 900 by 2041. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWildlife Drive
CrossesTidal Basin
LocationSanibel Island
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountyLee County
StateFlorida
Coordinates26.446, -82.1135
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2021
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span54 ft (16.5 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck107 ft (32.7 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic700 (2021)
Projected traffic900 by 2041
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Fish and Wildlife
Maintained byBureau of Fish and Wildlife
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wildlife Drive over Tidal Basin built?

It was built in 2002, making it 23 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wildlife Drive over Tidal Basin in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in April 2021.

How much traffic does Wildlife Drive over Tidal Basin carry?

About 700 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Wildlife Drive over Tidal Basin?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 54 ft (16.5 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Wildlife Drive over Tidal Basin?

It is owned by the Bureau of Fish and Wildlife.